India to play Bhutan in practice match on August 13

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) India’s football team, currently practicing in a pre-season camp here, will take on Bhutan in an unofficial practice match on August 13, it was announced on Thursday.

After the proposed tour of the US got cancelled, national head coach Stephen Constantine said that it is important to have a game to get into the rhythm.

“We are a bit disappointed that the tour to US didn’t happen. In such a situation it was very important for us to get a game but we managed to get one at such a short notice,” Constantine said in a statement.

“We have a squad of 23 Players who have not trained for the last two to three months. A lot of them are youngsters and it just gives us a chance to give these boys a bit more of International experience,” the English tactician added.

He said, “We have a lot of guys who have been knocking at the door to get in and with Bengaluru FC and East Bengal having not released their players, it provided the opportunity for some other people to get some exposure.”

“We have said all along that we are trying to build a bigger pool of Players. There is a fierce competition for places and I think this game is important in the development of young players.”

Meanwhile, some players and staff, who are practicing in the Capital since July 26 were hit by a bout of food poisoning on Wednesday.